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δωρεάν

dōreán

G1432 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

As an adverb, means 'freely, without payment or compensation, for nothing.' Used especially to indicate something given or done without expected return, or without justification or deserved reason. Also expresses the sense of 'without cause' or 'in vain' in certain contexts, extending to acts performed or words spoken without just basis.

Semantic Range

freely, without payment, without compensation, as a gift, for nothing, without cause, in vain

Root / Etymology

Derived from the noun δωρεά (gift, grant), which comes from δῶρον (gift) + the nominal suffix -εία. The adverbial form δωρεάν develops from the accusative singular of δωρεά, originally as an adverbial accusative meaning 'as a gift' or 'as a matter of gift.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, δωρεάν is rare but attested, meaning 'for nothing, gratuitously.' It appears frequently in later Hellenistic, Septuagint, and New Testament Greek to denote actions or gifts given freely, without expectation of return or payment (e.g., John 15:25, Romans 3:24). It can also denote 'without cause,' signifying something done or experienced unjustly (e.g., persecution without justification). In Septuagint and Jewish-Greek writers, the sense of 'free of charge' or 'without merit' is prominent. Traditional English translations render the term variously as 'freely,' 'without a cause,' or 'for nothing,' though the sense may be broader, especially in contexts of unmerited favor or unjust action. It is distinct from other adverbs expressing neutrality or accidental action (e.g., ἄκων, by mistake).

Translation Consistency

primary "freely" 7 occurrences

'freely' is the most common and natural English rendering (7 of 9 occurrences) and best covers the primary senses of δωρεάν — given or done without payment or compensation, as a gift, or without expected return. It also works idiomatically in contexts where the force is 'for nothing' or 'without cause'; rarer senses like 'in vain' can be handled by context while keeping a single consistent base word.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"without a cause" (1x) "vain" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

accusative case of δωρεά as adverb; gratuitously (literally or figuratively):--without a cause, freely, for naught, in vain.

Root Family

δωρεάν (dōrean) — to give, to present, to offer as a gift; freely, without payment

Root δωρ- to give, to present, to offer as a gift

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1432-01 δωρεὰν dorean ADV freely freely as a gift freely as a gift 9

Occurrences in Scripture

9 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1432-01 Matthew 10:8 δωρεὰν dorean ADV freely freely as a gift freely as a gift
G1432-01 Matthew 10:8 δωρεὰν dorean-2 ADV freely freely as a gift freely as a gift
G1432-01 John 15:25 δωρεάν dorean ADV without a cause freely as a gift without a cause
G1432-01 Romans 3:24 δωρεὰν dorean ADV freely freely as a gift freely as a gift
G1432-01 2 Corinthians 11:7 δωρεὰν dorean ADV free of charge freely as a gift freely as a gift
G1432-01 Galatians 2:21 δωρεὰν dorean ADV in-vain freely as a gift in vain
G1432-01 2 Thessalonians 3:8 δωρεὰν dorean ADV for free freely as a gift freely as a gift
G1432-01 Revelation 21:6 δωρεάν dorean ADV freely freely as a gift freely as a gift
G1432-01 Revelation 22:17 δωρεάν dorean ADV freely freely as a gift freely as a gift
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